Decoupling Natural Resource Use & Environmental Impacts from Economic Growth

Abstract

RESOURCES MOBILIZATION THROUGH SHGs IN URBAN VILLAGES by Chittaranjan Dash, Concept Publishing Company (P) LTD, New Delhi, 2012, xxvi+186, Price Rs 550 (Hardbound) This book forms the substance of a survey research conducted in 2008 with a view to ascertain the impact of micro --finance in the context of enclave and peripheral urban villages in Delhi. The objectives of the study are: 1) to analyze the pattern of socio--economic and educational status of SHGmembers, 2) to investigate the economic profile of SHG members, 3) to evaluate the impact assessment of micro finance through credit and asset structure, 4) to measure the role of NGOs for implementation of micro finance, and 5) to augment the strategy for better implementation of micro finance. In the nineties, National Bank for Agriculture Rural Development (NABRDs) pilot scheme--micro finance --was launched to bridge the gap between the demand for and supply of funds in the lower rungs of rural economy. The Indian micro finance scene is dominated by Self-Help Group (SHGs) which were formed with the initiative of NGOs with 10-20 members and work as economic unit. The phenomenal out reach of SHG-bank linkage programme has enabled an estimated 86 million poor households to gain access to microfinance (India 2011). The data was generated through an interview schedule and participatory observations by the members of the SGHs with the help of NGO staff and local people from the enclave and peripheral villages.110 SGHs were covered, 52 from enclave villages and 58 from peripheral villages. In all 219 group members, 104 and 115 women from the enclave and peripheral villages respectively were interviewed. The data was analyzed statistically. The demographic status of the SHG members indicates that a majority of group members were in the age group 21-50 years. The average age of the sample members is 37.8 years, the average number of children per woman is 2.73 and the average household size is 4.9. Married women constitute 90 percent of the sample. There are also a few widows. There are unmarried members also in the enclave villages. Majority of the members have qualification of matriculation, at the same time, there are also some illiterates. A majority of the sample population has nucleus family, and own pacca houses. A majority of them were born outside Delhi. Some members came to Delhi through marriage while some others came along with their parents or husbands. Abut 44.29 percent of members joined the SHGs during 2007 and 2008. The motivation to Join the SHGs was provided by NGOs, neighbors, friends and relatives. Family has least role in inducing members to join SHGs. A majority of the SHGs were of the size of 20 members. Majority of members are home makers. In the enclave villages some members are services holders while in peripheral villages it is professional work, shop keeping, and dairy business. Less than half of the sample have annual income between Rs.30,000/- and Rs. 60,000/-. The average annual income of SHG members stands at Rs. 71,326. The peripheral village members have relatively more income. The average annual expenditure stands at Rs.60, 798. The level of surplus of SHG members comes to Rs. 10,528. The villages that are nearer to centers with civic amenities are in advantageous position than those which are farther. Group credit plays an important role at the grass root, and its absence is a cause of concern for the society. A majority of group members have availed credit, out of which a good number of them have availed credit from intra-group. In the enclave villages, it is for social purpose, while in peripheral villages it is for social and cattle related activities. The average annual return is higher in peripheral villages than in enclave villages. …